---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Explore and Search view

# Explore and Search view in CMDB Workspace {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 minutes to read
Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI  
This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Explore and Search view in CMDB Workspace

The Explore and Search view in the CMDB Workspace enables ServiceNow customers to efficiently navigate and query Configuration Items (CIs) and CMDB tables without requiring deep knowledge of the CMDB data model.
It offers intuitive exploration via contexts or classes and supports AI-driven natural language searches, simplifying the process of finding relevant CMDB information.
Show full answer Show less  
Users can access this functionality by navigating to **Workspaces \> CMDB Workspace** and selecting the Explore and Search icon in the navigation panel. Required roles include **sncmdbuser** , **sncmdbeditor** , or **sncmdbadmin**.

## Explore Features

* **Contexts Mode:** This mode, available when the *Service Graph Workspace - Content store* app and its dependencies are installed, organizes CMDB classes into hierarchical contexts. These contexts represent categories grouping CI classes, enabling intuitive drill-down navigation.
* **Classes Mode:** When the Service Graph Workspace app is not installed, exploration defaults to classes organized by existing CMDB groups of type "CMDB Workspace". This mode lists CI classes directly for browsing.
* In both modes, users can drill down to view lists of CIs belonging to a selected context or group. The CI list view supports quick filters based on common fields across CI classes, allowing refined filtering. Selecting a CI opens its details in the CI Form for further management.

## Search Features

The Search tab allows querying the service graph data using different modes, depending on system configuration and installed apps:

* **AI Search:** Powered by ServiceNow Otto AI, this natural language search interprets user queries and optimizes search results. It requires roles **sncmdbuser** and **nowassistpaneluser** , the *ServiceNow Otto for CMDB* version 3.0 app, and activation of the Search result classifier skill. It supports follow-up refinements in natural language for precise results.
* **Intelligent Search:** If AI Search prerequisites are not met, Intelligent Search provides Natural Language Query (NLQ) capabilities for CMDB. Users can type search strings in everyday language, receive dynamic suggestions, and refine queries. Results are initially limited to 100, with options to load more up to 10,000 by default.
* Intelligent Search supports complex queries involving multiple tables, which can be further refined using the CMDB Query Builder interface. When ambiguities exist in the search string, users are prompted to select relevant CI classes to finalize the query. Feedback mechanisms allow users to report unsatisfactory results.
* **Conditional Search:** Offers a basic condition builder for users to manually specify search criteria for CIs, including related list conditions. This mode helps users construct precise queries without natural language input.

## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

* Explore the CMDB flexibly through contexts or class-based navigation tailored to installed apps and organizational CMDB groups.
* Leverage AI-driven and natural language search to find relevant CIs and service graph data quickly, even without deep CMDB schema knowledge.
* Refine search results dynamically with filters, query builders, and feedback options, improving accuracy and usability.
* Access detailed CI records directly from exploration or search results for efficient CMDB management.

## Additional Notes

* The Service Graph Workspace - Content store app and its dependencies enable enhanced context exploration and quick class filtering.
* System properties such as `sncmdbws.list.recordcountlimit` control performance-related limits on record counts during conditional searches.
* Specific roles and app installations are required to fully utilize AI Search capabilities.  
Search through CMDB tables without having detailed knowledge of the CMDB data model by using contexts that are mapped to CI classes as navigation. Use natural language with the AI-driven search to search the CMDB and related
data.

## Access {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__section_lqx_dk2_thc}

Navigate to WorkspacesCMDB Workspace, and then in the navigation panel, select the Explore and Search icon.

Role required: sn_cmdb_user, sn_cmdb_editor, or sn_cmdb_admin

## Explore {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__section_im3_lzh_zhc}

Explore classes and CIs using one of the following exploration modes:

Contexts

:   The top-level contexts expand into a hierarchy of contexts (where classes are grouped by categories). As you expand navigation entries, the next level of contexts appears.

    This option is available only if the Service Graph Workspace - Content store app is installed. The Service Graph Workspace - Content app automatically installs all its dependent apps, such as the Data Model Navigator store
    app. The Service Graph Workspace - Content store app and its dependent apps enable the Explore by contexts option, and provide the contexts definitions and the quick class filters used in the CI list
    views.

Classes

:   The top-level contexts expand into lists of classes.

    If the Service Graph Workspace - Content store app isn't installed, then Explore by classes is the only mode of exploration available. In this case, existing CMDB groups definitions in which type =
    CMDB Workspace are used to organize the navigation panel. For more information, see [CMDB groups](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Ewk~mxqXyL9RyrquzKHGJg#cmdb-groups "A CMDB group is a collection of CIs that lets you apply CI actions collectively to all the CIs that are members in the group.").

In either exploration mode, you can drill-down to see a list of CIs that belongs to the selected context or CMDB group.  
In the CIs list view you can:

* Use the class quick filters to filter the list of the CIs by fields. Only filters that are common to all the CI classes in the list, appear (if there are none, then no class quick filters appear).
* Select a CI to open it in CI Form. For more information, see [Manage CI details using CI Form in CMDB Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Vich6MK9IwLq40NPb5QcTA "Use CI Form in CMDB Workspace or in another workspace, to view, edit, and manage a comprehensive set of details of a CI such as its attributes, related lists, and CMDB 360 records. When updating CIs, IRE rules are applied to avoid potential issues such as duplicate CIs. CI Form supports derivation of form configurations throughout the CMDB hierarchy.").
{#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_x1v_s11_d3c}

## Search {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__section_zg4_kzh_zhc}

Select the Search tab to search through the service graph data. Search provides the following modes of operation where depending on system configurations and usage, each mode might produce different search results:

AI search

:   Lets you access a ServiceNow Otto AI-driven search using natural language. ServiceNow Otto analyzes your search utterance to determine the optimum search method, shows the results, and then lets you refine the search using natural language in the ServiceNow Otto panel.

    To access all of the functionality, including follow up questions, the following requirements must be met:

    * Role: sn_cmdb_user and now_assist_panel_user
    * This skill is available starting with the [ServiceNow Otto for CMDB](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6jlAqAOxohwyKBRRq8p4xg "Use ServiceNow Otto for Configuration Management Database (CMDB) to improve the quality of CMDB data, search the CMDB quickly, find and remedy issues with Service Graph Connector import sets, and several other processes.") version 3.0 store app, which must be installed
    * The ServiceNow Otto skill Search result classifier, must be activated
    {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_vcr_zgv_k3c}

    For more information, see [Search the Service Graph database using natural language](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bezrwc_iil8RHpH9KHqZyA "ServiceNow Otto for CMDB uses the search result classifier skill to analyze your search criteria, identify and apply implicit filters, determine the optimum search method (keyword search or query generation), query Service Graph data, and then display the results. You then have the option to refine the search using natural language in the ServiceNow Otto panel.").

Intelligent Search

:   Lets you use Natural Language Query (NLQ) search capabilities provided by [Intelligent Search for CMDB](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OB6nz9XxyG05iE450g6zPQ "Use everyday natural language query (NLQ) in a search string to query for a set of CIs in the CMDB. Intelligent Search for CMDB, parses, resolves ambiguities, and converts your search string into a valid CMDB query. Complex search strings open fully constructed on a canvas of CMDB Query Builder where you can continue and refine, or run.").

If the ServiceNow Otto store app and the Search result classifier skill requirements for AI search aren't met, the system defaults to using Intelligent Search to search service graph data.

## Intelligent Search {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__section-intelligent-search-cmdb-workspace}

Accessible to: CMDB Admin, CMDB Editor, CMDB User.

Lets you use Natural Language Query (NLQ) search capabilities provided by [Intelligent Search for CMDB](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OB6nz9XxyG05iE450g6zPQ "Use everyday natural language query (NLQ) in a search string to query for a set of CIs in the CMDB. Intelligent Search for CMDB, parses, resolves ambiguities, and converts your search string into a valid CMDB query. Complex search strings open fully constructed on a canvas of CMDB Query Builder where you can continue and refine, or run."). Use the input field to construct a search string using everyday language. As you type, a dynamic list of relevant suggestions appears, with items matching single words or part
phrases in the typed-in text, such as table names.  
You can:

* Select Search tips to see tips about constructing search strings. See details about the usage, examples for single and multi-table search, advanced filtering, and relationships in Intelligent Search.
* Select Search to either run the query if the search string is already fully converted into a valid CMDB query, or to open the Refine your query dialog box.
  * If the search string has no ambiguities with the table name or relationships, then the query runs and the results appear in a list view format.

    Only the first 100 results of the query appear in the results pane.
    * Select Load More Results to view the next set of 100 results.
    * Select Load All Results to view the rest of the query results, up to the number specified by the [glide.cmdb.query.max_results_limit](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/3Oq9cYqerMnFiRZLCRN8lw "Set property values to configure query processing.") system property (10,000 by default).
    {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_sdz_dnw_v5b}

    If the constructed CMDB query contains more than a single table, then the View in Query Builder button appears. Select the button to open the [CMDB Query Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uLyJjmkHqIHkDiHLMf8PGA "The CMDB Query Builder enables you to build complex infrastructure and service queries that span multiple CMDB classes, non-CMDB tables, and that involve many CIs that are connected by different relationships.") with your query fully constructed on the Query Builder canvas. You can use the Query Builder to continue editing the query.
  * If there are any ambiguities with table names or relationship types in the search string, then the search string can't be converted into a valid CMDB query. In this case, the Refine your query dialog box appears letting you select from suggested CI classes and continue to parse your search string into a valid CMDB query. Those suggested CI classes are based on phrases in your search string. Use the drop-down lists to select the CI classes that match your intended search and then select View search results to run the query.
  * If Intelligent Search is unable to convert your search string into a valid CMDB query, then selecting Search doesn't generate any query results. Instead, a feedback form appears. Fill out the form and select Submit Feedback to record your feedback for your CMDB Admin to review.
  {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_rdz_dnw_v5b}
* Use the Sample searches list to get you started in running a pre-defined search. This list consists of more common searches, or searches that are more difficult to construct such as searches that involve service instances (application services).
* Use the Your recent searches list to rerun a previous search.
* Select Results Feedback to submit feedback on the search results for your CMDB Admin to review.
{#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_qdz_dnw_v5b}

For more details about using NLQ with Intelligent Search, see [Intelligent Search for CMDB](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OB6nz9XxyG05iE450g6zPQ "Use everyday natural language query (NLQ) in a search string to query for a set of CIs in the CMDB. Intelligent Search for CMDB, parses, resolves ambiguities, and converts your search string into a valid CMDB query. Complex search strings open fully constructed on a canvas of CMDB Query Builder where you can continue and refine, or run.").

Alternatively, you can select Use conditional search instead to use a basic [condition builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-related-list-query&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US) functionality where you can specify conditions to search for CIs of a specific class.  
You can:

* Select New condition set to add a condition phrase.
* Select Related List Condition to [add a condition phrase for related lists](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-related-list-query&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US).
* Select Search to search through the CMDB.
* Add and then adjust the sn_cmdb_ws.list.record_count_limit system property to limit the record count summation and so to minimize the performance impact of that operation. The record count shows on the Conditional search page, for example, above the results list. For more information about adding and modifying that system property, see .
{#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_lqj_xnw_v5b}

In the results list, select a CI to see its details in CI Form.  
{#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__table_tdz_dnw_v5b__entry__2}

| UI activity | Additional requirements |
|-|-|
| * Mapped Application Service * Application Service * Application Service Group * Dynamic CI Group * Tag Based Service {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_udz_dnw_v5b} | app_service_user role |
| * Business Service * Technical Service * Application Service Outage {#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__ul_vdz_dnw_v5b} | service_viewer role |
[ ]

{#sg-workspace-search-explore-view__table_tdz_dnw_v5b}

*[\>]: and then